關於 what is npr music ，我們在網路上蒐集到這些相關的討論、資訊與評價

Reasons why I love being a songwriter:

Music truly is a universal language.

When I released 'Siboh Kitak Nangis' (meaning Don't You Cry) on my 2nd album 'Ghostbird', I was faced with many doubtful questions from Malaysians (I don't need to tell you which part Msia these Q's came from), who asked me things like, "Wahhh~ berani eh you letak lagu Sarawak dalam album you?" and "So is this a way to prove you're more Malaysian?" (Whut, bro?) I thought to myself, this was just a song I wrote about comforting yourself, or others, and telling them that every hardship shall pass, chin up, don't worry, I'll be by your side if you need me, come rain, thunder or lightning, I will be with you... BUT it just so happens to be in my native dialect of Bahasa Sarawak.

I remember hearing praises about it from my record label and particularly my producer Mario Caldato (Mario C) and how excited they were to be hearing this beautiful language, and their faith in the song made my heart melt.

When the song finally released, and hearing those things from my fellow countrymen shocked me to the core.

Of course, not everyone thought like that... Members of the media were very kind and I have been told that the song went on to inspire many more artistes and Sarawakian artistes to embrace our culture and language... Which to me, meant that that was my job as a songwriter done. 'Siboh Kitak Nangis' then went on to be become the first Bahasa Sarawak song on an international album, on rotation on NPR radio stations in the US and was also featured in Korean dramas, and also just like in this video, appreciated by people of different parts of the world who do not even remotely know what it means, just by the sentiments of the song that they're hearing.

This is Gina, New York born and raised to parents of Haiti Island. Singing in the Sarawakian language flawlessly.

My darlings, in music, there is no limit. No one makes the rules. It depends on what you want to achieve and express. Sing the language of your hearts, your souls, and mind not about "making it the market", truth is, someone, somewhere, needs to hear it, and feel like they are loved and not alone.❤️ On that note: OOHHHAAAAA🌺!

Blog 4

I have a second confession to make. I actually quite admire Taylor Swift. I know, I know. I know she gets a lot of hate, and a lot of people don’t necessarily see her music as “real music”, whatever that means. I know liking her music is sometimes seen as “uncool”- how dare any serious musician say they like her stuff, it’s only for silly teenage girls. But if I’m honest, fewer and fewer people treat the whole Cantopop market as “real music” as well, so perhaps we kinda do share that in common. 🤷🏻‍♀️ So who am I to diss it? I actually really admire her, and definitely count her as one of my previously unspoken inspirations. I do resonate with the way she writes... because it’s kind of the way I write.

I recently watched her NPR Tiny Desk Concert, and if you don’t know about Tiny Desk, perhaps you could check it out and be inspired - it’s a YouTube channel where artists and musicians perform in a tiny cramped space behind a work desk - and it’s brilliant. I love the rawness of it, the realness of it, and the closeness of it. It takes what happens on a big stage into your average office work space. It was a surprise to see Taylor Swift there, because it usually features up-and-coming artists or jazz musicians, performances of which I enjoy thoroughly also. But this was a surprising one, and so I clicked. I admit I even got a tad bit emotional after watching it, not because of anything else but the fact that I can resonated with so so much the stuff she said about songwriting and her creative process, and I enjoyed how she picked the songs and played completely alone, stripped down and raw, in the songs’ demo versions. In between songs, she shared thoughts and her creative process so openly and vulnerably, and how she wrote her songs as self-therapy, usually with just one instrument, in her pajamas, in the middle of the night. In that format, she somehow still managed to find a dominant spot in the mainstream and manufactured pop world - and that was so reassuring for me because that’s how I have written a TON of my songs.

Very, very early on in my career, before R&K, one producer once said to me, “you’re not the best singer, you’re not really a great guitar player, piano you’re a little better but still not that great... but with everything put together, mayyyybe you would be able to become a little bit of something.”

And for me, to see someone like Taylor Swift do so well in this world, someone who doesn’t belt like Beyoncé, doesn’t shred on the guitar like John Mayer, doesn’t play keys like Alicia Keys, doesn’t riff like Ariana Grande... for someone like Taylor Swift to be the mega success that she is... is undeniably impressive, and downright inspiring to me. She doesn’t use fancy techy gear, she doesn’t use fancy chords, she doesn’t do fancy grooves or sing fancy riffs. She just writes songs like she writes her diary - but she’s also smart and catchy and commercial about it. She is an amazing storyteller of her own life, and without necessarily being the best at singing or any instrument, she was the best at telling her unique stories. With everything put together, and a strong belief in herself - she has used this creativity of hers to garner millions and millions of fans all around the world.

Sometimes, the mastery of a craft looks different for different people. Sometimes it’s not about technical perfection. Sometimes, those who are imperfect, broken, hurt, but headstrong, open, authentic, courageous, and unapologetic are more interesting. It’s like found their own way to harness their scars or life experiences, and turn them into doors leading to their eventual evolution through creativity. They tell stories instead of showing off. It’s reassuring and also comforting that this still sells, with this much competition in the market, and resonates with me so much.

I then watched the TED talk by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat Pray Love after the tiny desk because Taylor said she watched it with tears when inspiration didn’t come. And I just teared myself also. Touched tears. Tears of inspiration. Tears of joy in finding people that seem to think like me, who share the weight of my worries, but are successful and made an impact in the world. I found myself nodding viciously in agreement idiotically in my own living room, when they share the anxieties, insecurities and fears that typically consume the mind of creatives. I am definitely an overthinker so I’m a victim of all that was mentioned. Ok, you’ll have to watch it to understand. But it felt like I was meant to listen to this. It’s based on the daunting feeling of failure when inspiration doesn’t come, or feeling like your best work is “untoppable” and therefore your best days are behind you. But inspiration isn’t from within you. Inspiration is this mysterious force in the universe, and you just have to catch it when it comes, and even when it doesn’t, just keep showing up for your part of the job anyway until it does. And when time comes, let inspiration, this outer force in the universe take over. You don’t have to be sad for writing a bad song, or too proud for writing a good one. Don’t beat yourself up, and just keep doing what you do. Leave that fear behind you. Absolutely life changing.

And with this, I’m gonna go turn on my water tap of inspiration and try to work on some songwriting now. Thanks for checking in 🙂

Till next time.
Choose love, and bring light.

xRobynn

#robynnblogs
Do share what you think on what my next confession should be. 🙂